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I have no A levels!

what are my options? I come from manchester lot of friends etc have got full a levels unfortunately I had a health problem which lead me to not studying. I do have GCSES. What are my future options? I was thinking to go back to USA and study there. What are foundation degrees? Do ALL foundation degrees lead to honours degree? Will foundation degree garentee me a honours?

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Reply 1
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Original post by SlaveEarth
what are my options? I come from manchester lot of friends etc have got full a levels unfortunately I had a health problem which lead me to not studying. I do have GCSES. What are my future options? I was thinking to go back to USA and study there. What are foundation degrees? Do ALL foundation degrees lead to honours degree? Will foundation degree garentee me a honours?


1) You can self-teach A-Levels and pay to sit the exams. (You can also take evening classes at local colleges I believe)
2) You can do an apprenticeship
3) You can do an Access to HE course
4) I think* you can do a foundation year
5) You can find a job and work your way up

:smile:
Reply 3
Original post by L'Etudiant
1) You can self-teach A-Levels and pay to sit the exams. (You can also take evening classes at local colleges I believe)
2) You can do an apprenticeship
3) You can do an Access to HE course
4) I think* you can do a foundation year
5) You can find a job and work your way up

:smile:


Thanks. What is access to HE course im more interested in getting degree not jobs. And do you know anything more about foundation thanks!
Reply 4
Bump thanks
Reply 5
Bump thanks/
You will need A levels for a Foundation course, but many Foundation courses lead directly onto a degree course.

You could do an Access course instead of A levels (http://www.themanchestercollege.ac.uk/subject-area/access/about), or you could do a Foundation course with the Open University by distance learning (no A levels needed) (http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/qualifications/t09). Or you could do some A levels (http://www.themanchestercollege.ac.uk/subject-area/a-levels/further-information).

PS. 'from Manchester' but 'go back to USA' - do you have the right to live in Britain long term or are you on a study visa? This obviously has implications for what sort of study etc is possible or appropriate.
Reply 7
Original post by returnmigrant
You will need A levels for a Foundation course, but many Foundation courses lead directly onto a degree course.

You could do an Access course instead of A levels (http://www.themanchestercollege.ac.uk/subject-area/access/about), or you could do a Foundation course with the Open University by distance learning (no A levels needed) (http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/qualifications/t09). Or you could do some A levels (http://www.themanchestercollege.ac.uk/subject-area/a-levels/further-information).

PS. 'from Manchester' but 'go back to USA' - do you have the right to live in Britain long term or are you on a study visa? This obviously has implications for what sort of study etc is possible or appropriate.


Hmm Im looking for foundation course without a levels I know there are some out there. Thanks and im legal
A Foundation course that givers you admission to a degree course will require A levels. An Access course doesn't require A levels. You need to look at Access courses, not Foundation courses.
Reply 9
Original post by returnmigrant
A Foundation course that givers you admission to a degree course will require A levels. An Access course doesn't require A levels. You need to look at Access courses, not Foundation courses.


So access will give me direct access to Degree level study?
I would just self teach A levels. I would suggest working at the same time but the viability of that depends on your circumstances.
Reply 11
Original post by ByronicHero
I would just self teach A levels. I would suggest working at the same time but the viability of that depends on your circumstances.


Isnt access course or foundation faster route? I need a good fast route a levels would take me 2 years.
Original post by SlaveEarth
Isnt access course or foundation faster route? I need a good fast route a levels would take me 2 years.


Unless they have altered the modular nature of A levels you can do them in one year (it has been some time since I have cared enough to keep on top of the specifics however).

Access courses are fine, I would simply personally preference A levels.

Good luck with whatever you do.
Reply 13
Original post by ByronicHero
Unless they have altered the modular nature of A levels you can do them in one year (it has been some time since I have cared enough to keep on top of the specifics however).

Access courses are fine, I would simply personally preference A levels.

Good luck with whatever you do.


What uni would I get into with access? Because On entry requirements on uni sites I dont see access written anywhere?
Original post by SlaveEarth
What uni would I get into with access? Because On entry requirements on uni sites I dont see access written anywhere?


Most universities accept Access to HE courses to a greater or lesser degree but you may have to dig a little to find the specifics. If you wish to suggest some universities that interest you I can take a look to see if I can find anything for you.
Reply 15
Original post by ByronicHero
Most universities accept Access to HE courses to a greater or lesser degree but you may have to dig a little to find the specifics. If you wish to suggest some universities that interest you I can take a look to see if I can find anything for you.


ok, please take a look thanks
Original post by SlaveEarth
ok, please take a look thanks


Which universities?

I'm not going to guess how academic you are. :tongue:
Reply 17
A foundation year which takes place at an actual university (like a year 0) does require A-levels. These years are funded by student finance and you can stay in Halls, so it's basically just a degree that takes four years rather than three. Some of these courses do allow people with lots of relevant work experience in the subject area, but I'm not sure if this applies to you.

However, if you don't have A-levels, your local further education college should have 'Access' courses which normally take a year to complete and can be used as a replacement for A-levels and you can use it to apply to University to study whatever course you like - as long as you have completed relevant modules. Some colleges have 'Access to Humanities', 'Access to Science' and 'Access to Health Professions' courses, so you have to pick which is relevant to the degree subject you wish to study. Furthermore, these courses are NOT funded by student finance and will have to be paid for privately and the cost can vary, but they are not normally any more than £5000. Also most universities don't publish their access requirements as entry this way is in the minority, so you will have to contact them directly.
Reply 18
if you want to get a degree then do the a levels and apply for the universities, but if your main concern is to be able to get a good job, then you can go into job straightaway, many people have not done alevels but are very successful in their career.
Reply 19
I've just looked at The Manchester College - because I'm bored - and noticed that they have an amazing amount of access courses! Here's a few for you to take a look at:

Nursing and Allied health professions http://www.themanchestercollege.ac.uk/options/110/Nursing-and-Allied-Health-Professions

Med, Dentistry, Pharmacy http://www.themanchestercollege.ac.uk/options/193/Medicine-Dentistry-Pharmacy-and-Medical-Science

Law http://www.themanchestercollege.ac.uk/adults/courses/professions-law-criminology-0

Business and Management http://www.themanchestercollege.ac.uk/adults/courses/business-management

Humanities and Social Sciences http://www.themanchestercollege.ac.uk/adults/courses/humanities-social-sciences

And there is loads more, just go to their website and in the search box type 'access'.

How old are you by the way?

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